Regulating online poker in the US could be a significant source of income for the government on all levels, but land-based casino lobbies are doing their best to prevent this from happening

What is especially frustrating to players, operators, and even politicians is the veracity of the effort to wipe it out at all costs. There is a lot of money involved with online gaming and it doesn’t currently funnel through the IRS so it’s natural the Feds would take an interest. Crafting laws that go after offshore gaming sites but build in deliberate carve-outs for domestic horse racing and fantasy sports? Check.Claiming jurisdiction over that big intangible network that no one is supposed to own known as the Internet and vaporizing domain names at will? Check.Seizing funds, companies, and bank accounts that never crossed onto American soil? Check.Attaching anti-gaming legislation to bills about protecting American ports at the eleventh hour so no one noticed before it’s too late? Check.Ignoring international trade laws and receiving sanctions from the WTO? Check.A sampling of US government actions against online poker Nothing has been off-limits over the past decade when it comes to taking down that pesky no-tax-paying thorn in the side of every red, white, and blue casino mogul with dreams of a state-sanctioned monopoly on the online betting market. At the Federal level, the Department of Justice and certain members of Congress have seemed to make vanquishing online gaming a personal vendetta. The future of online poker as we know it in the US is at an interesting crossroad. Poker Legislation on the US Federal Level It’s extremely unlikely that online poker will be regulated and licensed at the federal level with the Feds content to leave it in the hands of state governments.

It’s going to come down to the states’ constitutional rights.Sheldon Adelson is a constant thorn in the side of legal state poker.The Feds have a clear agenda against online gaming.The Future of Legalized Online Poker in the US.Operating Licenses for States Licensing Online Poker.Potential in the ultimate prize: California.Three States With Legalized Online Poker.Dissent between different branches on legalized online poker.A sampling of US government actions against online poker.Poker Legislation on the US Federal Level.

Which states online poker is legal